Investigation of the potential material solution for utilizing an unmanned aerial system to protect off-shore oil platforms from surface threats

Abstract

This paper describes a potential material solution for the utilization of an unmanned aerial system to identify, discriminate, and engage potential surface threats to off-shore oil platforms. The intent of the research effort was to identify how US maritime forces are presently deployed to protect off-shore oil platforms from sabotage, takeover, or destruction and to determine if an unmanned aerial system could be utilized to enhance that effort and perhaps reduce the manpower requirements. While numerous possible threats exist including aerial and sub-surface attack, the present study concentrated on surface threats. A disciplined systems engineering approach was utilized to determine the most cost-effective solution that meets key stakeholder requirements for identifying, engaging, and neutralizing potential threats in a time-critical manner through either lethal or non-lethal means. The initial capability requirements are decomposed into functions to be performed and the functions are evaluated through consideration of either fixedwing, rotary-wing, or lighter-than-air platforms using standard systems engineering tools and methods to determine the most cost-effective solution that meets stakeholders needs. Architectural views and functional block diagrams are provided which meet stakeholder requirements and a preferred solution is provided along with recommendations for further research.